Kenya has secured a major breakthrough in cancer treatment after signing an agreement with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer that will significantly reduce the cost of medicines used to treat several cancers.
President William Ruto said the agreement between Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), under the Accord for a Healthier World, will cut prices of medicines for breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesophageal, leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma cancers by more than sevenfold.
In some cases, the cost of treatment will fall from as much as Sh1 million to below Sh50,000 per treatment cycle, easing the financial burden on patients and families.
President Ruto said the reduced prices will also make the Sh800,000 Social Health Authority (SHA) cancer treatment package sufficient to cover the cost of treatment without patients having to make additional payments.
The agreement will further enable Kenya to access newer cancer medicines without the current waiting period of up to 10 years before such treatments become available to Kenyan patients.
Ruto said the deal marked an important step towards strengthening Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage programme and improving access to affordable cancer care.
The President, who is the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Commodities, said Pfizer had also committed to making technologies and newer medicines available for local pharmaceutical production in Africa.
He made the remarks after receiving Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla at State House, Nairobi.
Bourla was accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, US Embassy Nairobi Charge d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Pfizer officials.
Ruto expressed appreciation to Pfizer for its investment in Kenya and its contribution to improving access to cancer treatment.
The agreement comes as Kenya continues efforts to expand access to specialised treatment while reducing the financial burden associated with cancer care under the country’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
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